Folding slipper.



E.- A. JENNINGS. FOLDING SLIPPER.

LPHZIOATION FILED MAR, 9, 1908.

905,432. Patented Dec. 1, 1908.

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EDWIN A. JENNINGS, OF HAVERHILL, MASSACHUSETTS.

FOLDING SLIPPER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 1, 1908.

Application filed March 9, 1908. Serial No. 419,848.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWIN A. JENNINGS, of Haverhill, county of Essex, State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Folding Slippers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a form of slipper which is adapted to be folded, so that it is practically flat, to enable it to be packed in a trunk or valise in a smaller space, or to better advantage, than is possible with the ordinary slipper having the usual projecting heel stiffening or counter.

Prior to my invention it has been customary to make slippers for this purpose without any heel stiffening whatever, but slippers of this character are objectionable, for the reason that the upper leather, having nothing to support it, works down under the heel of the wearers foot, so that it will not act to hold the slipper on the foot, aside from the fact of the discomfort to the wearer.

The object of my invention is to provide a slipper, which is adapted to be folded practically flat, with means whereby the upper leather about the heel will be held in the desired position, when the slipper is on the wearers foot. I accomplish this object by the means shown in the accompanying drawing, in which,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a common form of slipper provided with my invention. Fig. 2 is a cross section on the line 2-2 Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section on the line 33 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a section on the line 2-2 Fig. 1, showing the counter sections in folded position. Fig. 5 is a detail view of the counter before it is applied.

As shown in the drawing, the upper a is attached to the sole Z) in the usual manner, and is provided with the usual lining a. A counter is rovided between the upper and lining, which consists of two side sections cl, cl, and an intermediate attaching section (1 Said side sections d, d are adapted to extend from a point adjacent the rear end of the shank portion of the sole obliquely upwardly to points adjacent the edge of the upper at the middle of the heel portion of the sole, and then obliquely downwardly to the sole again, at points a short distance at each side of the middle of the heel end of the slipper. The upper edges of each section are preferably convexly curved, as shown.

The intermediate connecting portion d together with the lower edge portions, of

the side sections, are all bent inwardly and attached to the sole in the usual manner, and in Fi 5 the general form of counter which I preferably employ, as it appears when first cut out, is illustrated, the dotted line X, in said figure indicating the point at which the lower edge portion of the counter is bent inwardly or flanged.

By arranging the counter sections cl, d at each side of the heel, they act to support the upper at these points, so that it will not be forced down upon the sole of the shoe when worn, said side sections also acting to support the intermediate portion of the upper, which extends about the back of the heel, in its proper position.

The leather is sufficiently flexible at points adjacent the attached edge portions of said counter sections cl, d, to permit them to be bent towards each other and down upon the slipper bottom, or sole, and, as the two sections (Z, d are practically disconnected, the intermediate section (Z being provided principally for convenience in manufacture, and in no way interfering with the bending of the side sections, there is nothing to prevent these sections from being folded one over the other, as shown in Fig. 4, the connecting upper leather being perfectly flexible, so that it in no way interferes with such folding.

With the above described construction the side counter sections tend to bend against the sides of the heel of the wearer and to engage the same, so as to prevent slipping at the heel even more effectively than if the counter were continuous, as is customary.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. .A folding slipper having a stiffening counter section at each side of the heel and a flexible connecting portion therebetween in the rear thereof to permit said counter sections to be folded towards each other onto the slipper bottom, substantially as described.

2. A folding slipper comprising a pair of stiffening counter sections at each side of the heel portion of the slipper bottom, the upper edge portions of said sections extending rearwardly and upwardly from the bottom adjacent the front of the heel portion, and then downward to points adjacent the middle of the rear end thereof, substantially as described.

3. A folding slipper comprising a pa-ir of stiffening counter sections at each side of the heel-portion of the slipper bottom, the upper edge portions of said sections extending rearwardly and upwardly from the bottom adjacent the front of the heel portion to points opposite the middle portion thereof and then downwardly from said middle portion to points adjacent the rear end thereof, substantially as described.

4. A foldingslipper comprising a pair of stiffening counter sections at each side of the heelportion of the slipper bottom, the upper edge portions of said sections being convexly curved and having their highest points adjacent the middle of the heel portion and extending downwardly from said points both forwardly and rearwardly, substantially as described.

5. A folding slipper comprising a pair of stiffening counter sections at each side of the heel portion of the slipper bottom, the upper edge portions of said sections having their highest points adjacent the middle of the heel portion and extending obliquely downward from said points both forwardly and rearwardly, substantially as described.

6. A folding slipper comprising a pair of stiffening counter sections at each side of the heel portion of the slipper bottom, the upper edge portions of said sections having their highest points adjacent the middle of the heel portion and extending obliquely clownward from said points both forwardly and rearwardly, and aflexible upper portion inclosing and connecting said sections and supported thereby, said sections being adapted to be folded one over the other onto the slipper bottom, substantially as described.

7. A counter for a folding slipper, composed of flexible stiffening material, comprising a lower edge portion adapted to be connected to the sole and two side sections having their edges extending upward from the ends of said edge portion and then downwardly towards the middle thereof, to provide an intermediate recess, permitting said side sections to be bent over said edge portions, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

EDWVIN A. JENNINGS.

Witnesses:

L. H. HARRIMAN, H. B. DAVIS. 

